A Hand to Substitutes
By Ellen Javernick

In the days before computers, passing on information to substitutes was difficult. It often seemed easier to drag yourself into school rather than prepare for a sub. Now we can individualize our lesson plans to guarantee that our substitute teacher and our students will both have a good day. Here are some plan-ahead procedures that have worked for me.

Hello, My Name is… Classroom management is easier when substitutes can call children by name. I've found that substitutes appreciate names on desks or nametag necklaces for younger students. Be sure to also leave an up-to-date seating chart in a prominent place. If you're in a team-teaching situation where students move during the day, make sure your substitute is able to place the correct names with the correct students currently seated at the desks. Most substitute teachers prefer not to have teachers leave lists of disruptive students – that way, none of the boys or girls feel they have must live up to their reputations. I also like to designate a fellow teacher the substitute can check with in case he or she has questions throughout the day.

What's the plan? My substitutes' stress levels have dropped dramatically when I've left a lesson plan so they know exactly what I want to accomplish that day. They lose credibility when students are able to announce triumphantly, "We did that yesterday!"

I also like to let substitutes know what students should do with their completed work. Should it be sent home, graded together or left for you to check? What should students do when they've finished their assigned work? Classroom management will be much easier if the substitute knows and can follow your routine. It's also always reassuring for substitutes to discover that you've left emergency plans indicating what they could do in a pinch – for example, what to do when it rains during recess.

Be prepared. Nothing is more frustrating for a substitute than not being able to find the needed supplies. You may know that the rulers are in the storage cupboard down the hall, but your substitute will not without being told. Better yet, leave the day's supplies with your lesson plans.

Along with supplies and lesson plans, I like to make sure that a sub can quickly locate emergency procedure information. It's frightening for both the students and a substitute to not know where to go when an alarm bell rings. Along with those notes, it's a good idea to also leave tips on where to meet students at the beginning of the day, where to stand for recess duty, where to take students for lunch and whether he or she should walk up to the music room or wait in the classroom for the kids to return.

When should library books be returned? When are attendance and lunch counts sent in? Give your substitute a heads-up in advance and a good day will be had by all.

Ellen Javernick teaches first grade in Loveland, CO. She is the author of numerous books and articles for children.